CopPinger4pcc couldn't run fast enough from Gresham when the residents needed him the most
woe betide what would happen IF Cleveland Police Farce WAS left in his hands
Newport Neighbourhood Centre set to be demolished
by Ian McNeal, Evening GazetteAug 22 2012
A COMMUNITY centre which attracted protests over its proposed closure is set to be demolished to make way for homes.
Middlesbrough Council announced last October that the Newport Neighbourhood Centre and St Paul’s Hostel site would be one of a number facilities to close as the authority battled multi-million pound funding cuts.
The proposed closure attracted a petition with 285 names opposing the move.
But a new council report has rejected handing ownership of the centre to “Big Society” style community groups, despite an unusual bid by a former Olympian to turn it into an athletics academy.
Instead the site will be sold to social housing firm Erimus, which plans to build up to 30 homes in a £3m development.
The report was due to be discussed at Middlesbrough Council’s property sub-committee meeting today.
It says the housing scheme would add to the regeneration efforts in the area and provide homes for people moving out of nearby Gresham.
It adds the deal provides the best financial option for the council as Erimus will pay to demolish the centre - saving the council £114,000.
The authority will also benefit from additional council tax brought in by the new homes.
A total of five community organisations had submitted bids to take over the site.
These included an organisation called The House of Lovely People
The group, led by Zimbabwean Olympic athlete Philiph Mukomana who nows lives in Middlesbrough, proposed turning the centre into “Middlesbrough International Athletics Academy”.
But the council report states: “The aims of the proposal are to reduce anti-social behaviour by providing sporting opportunities for local young people and to organise activities that would result in community cohesion.
“However the proposal gives very little information as to how the centre would be managed, exactly what activities would be held and if there is any demand for an athletics academy in the area.”
Other bidders included Sikh group Siri-Guru Harkrishan Sahib-Ji- Gurdward to transfer the Sikh Temple from its current premises in Lorne Street, Middlesbrough.
The group’s application stated that the centre would be used as a centre for “Sikh religious activities” as well as a multi-cultural centre and enterprise centre.
Other religious groups Jubilee Church Teesside and International Bible Christian Fellowship also put forward proposals to take over the centre, which closed in March.
Middlesbrough Community Land Trust also expressed an interest in taking over the site to continue its use as a community centre.
If the deal with Erimus is agreed, demolition will go ahead within six months, with year-long construction set start on site in January next year.
Sajaad Kahn, Labour councillor for the Gresham, would prefer the site to be kept for community use.
He said: “It was the most used community centre in Middlesbrough. Rather than demolish it, it should be given back to the community.”
Mr Kahn added that housebuilding should instead be focused on existing demolition areas in Gresham.
Read More http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teess ... 1673011/2/
Smig
3:09 PM on 22/8/2012
For once I agree with a Labour councillor!!!
Not only has Phase 1 demolition not been finished, there is no sign whatsoever that a single brick is about to be laid.
If Erimus want to build houses in Gresham then use the available land and leave the community centre alone.
It's a bit late to say that these will provide homes for people moving out of Gresham, they have already left/been forced out.
